On Thursday 18th July the Linden Endowment for the Arts Committee announced that the LEA regions in Second Life will be officially closing down at the end of August 2019. The LEA Land Grant was closed by Linden Lab back in January 2019. Just a small number of the committee stayed on to administer the LEA Core regions for the remaining grant commitments apparently. Those grants are now coming to an end and the decision has been made to shut down at the end of next month.
The Committee of the Linden Endowment for the Arts regrets to inform residents of Second Life that the LEA regions will be closing at the end of August 2019.In November 2018, the Committee decided that the best way forward was for the members to step down, and allow Linden Lab to revamp or re-organise the program, with new members if they wished.At that time, the bi-annual Land Grant (the AIR regions) were shuttered. A small number of the Committee stayed on to administer the Core Regions until the remaining grant commitments ran their course. Those grants are now coming to an end, and therefore the LEA will be closed at the end of August 2019
It will be sad to see the LEA program be closed down and it will be missed by the Second Life community. LEA was founded back in 2010 then had it’s first events in 2011. The arts community and Linden Lab have shared a successful venture (exhibitions, programs & events) over the years showcasing the very best arts on the grid. LEA inspired a huge number of people to participate over the years in promoting arts in Second Life.
I think Linden Lab should start a brand new program after LEA closes next month to support the arts community showcase their amazing work. If the lab decide not to continue support then it would be very sad and a huge mistake. Today there are so many talented artists that would love the opportunity to showcase their work in Second Life.
Daniel Voyager 